Deadline: 18-Jun-21
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking support from natural resource conservation partners to work together to help enhance conservation delivery in the State of Mississippi.
The overall intent of this announcement is to solicit partnerships to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities outlined further in this document.
Objectives
Conservation partners are invited to apply for NRCS assistance with projects focused on the following key conservation objectives:
- Grazing Lands Conservation: Provide technical assistance, outreach and education to grassland managers/livestock producers on innovative forage grazing systems, both native and introduced; measure and contrast soil health comparing regenerative versus conventional management on grazing systems across Mississippi.
- Outreach: Inform and educate youth on the various college disciplines and employment opportunities available through agriculture; utilize outreach efforts to increase participation in NRCS programs and services by socially disadvantaged, limited resource, women, veterans and beginning farmers and ranchers in Mississippi.
- Easement Program Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance to private landowners seeking to participate in NRCS easement programs, such as the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEPWRE). Added staff capacity will provide technical assistance addressing critical conservation needs such as, but not limited to, program education and outreach, servicing applications-eligibility and ranking, development of wetland restoration plans, easement acquisition services, easement management and follow-up, assisting with assessment and development of compatible use authorizations, and easement monitoring.
- Farm Bill Technical Assistance: Lead, develop and/or provide conservation technical assistance at producer workshops and field days in collaboration with other conservation partners. Inform producers of conservation opportunities and provide information on how to seek NRCS technical and financial assistance. Assist with development of new and improved training techniques, procedures, visual aids and tools. Provide direct technical assistance to clients in the conservation planning process related to all agriculture land uses. Develop and deliver conservation practice plans, grazing plans, wildlife plans, and/or forectry management plans. Provide practice implementation technical assistance to the field offices for financial assistance for easements and technical assistance programs.
- Watershed Coordination: Provide support for Mississippi NRCS and the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Team (GCERT). This support will consist of restoration planning and outreach activities that culminate in a work plan that includes project proposals and concepts that improve water quality and wildlife habitat.
Federal Award Information
- Estimated Funding :The total amount of Federal funding the agency expects to award through this opportunity is $5,000,000, depending on availability of funds.
- Start Dates and Performance Periods: Projects may be between one (1) and five (5) years in duration. Applicants should plan their projects based on an estimated project start date of September 15, 2021.
- Number of Awards: The agency expects to make 15-20 award(s).
Eligible Applicants
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education
- Special district governments
- State governments
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332961